Results for practicing critical thinking exercises

[pcreator]

I know that a lot of skeptics like to believe that critical thinking exercises can help us all to determine fact from falsehood. What kind of evidence is available from studies that prove that people who practice these different critical thinking exercises are less likely to be duped by falsehoods? Do these people develop a habit of thinking critically all the time?

 

[Cuddles]

Well, logically, if you think critically about just one particular thing you are less likely to be duped by something related to that thing. So even if you don't think critically the rest of the time you are slightly less likely to be duped overall. You really don't need a study to show that.

 

[El Greco]

I know that a lot of skeptics like to believe that critical thinking exercises can help us all to determine fact from falsehood.

Which skeptics and in what exercises do they refer to ?

 

[pcreator]

skepdic.com/refuge/ctlessons/lesson3.html
skepdic.com/refuge/ctlessons.html

Stuff like this. I'm surprised it's taken almost a day for anyone to respond. I've also noticed that on this forum "CT" stands for "Conspiracy Theory" and not "Critical Thinking", and is given far more discussion time.

Perhaps instead of - The James Randi Educational Foundation is a non-profit learning resource aimed at promoting critical thinking everywhere.

It should be - The James Randi Educational Foundation is a non-profit learning resource aimed at insulting conspiracy thoerists everywhere.

I've seen a lot of skeptics resort to antagonizing the opposition with terms like "stupid, idiotic, woo-woo" far more often then demonstrating critical thinking, Randi's newsletter included. That's why it doesn't surprise me that the people who post on the forum won't hesitate to ridicule people who disagree with them, but ask them about ways their skeptic gurus advocate to improve their critical thinking skills and no one knows what you're talking about.

Are you guys really promoting critical thinking? It seems to me that if you agree with Randi than you are. If not, you're a stupid idiot woo-woo. Kind of similar to the christian/athiest thing. I can't help but notice that Randi seems rather authoritarian in his writing. This place seems more like a Randi personality cult to me. Prove to me otherwise. Show me how to develop this mysterious "critical thinking ability" that is the path to transcending stupid idiotic woo-wooism.

 

[Ipecac]

Familiarize yourself with the forum. You'll discover that you're completely wrong. This place features some of the most honest critical thinking on the Internet.

 

[bob_kark]

You are attributing the actions of fellow posters on this website to the James Randi Educational Foundation. These posters are not acting on the behalf of the JREF, therefore there is no need to change the position of the JREF.

Also, if you will care to notice, the individuals on this website who are routinely ridiculed, are those who make claims they are unable to substantiate. For example, if someone were to claim that Mr. Randi's website were a "personality cult" without providing any specific evidence and requested the members of the forum to prove them wrong, I would advise them that the burden of proof was on them. If they chose to ignore this fact, the ridicule could commense if needed.

I have to say, your writing style is very familiar. You wouldn't happen to be SBrown/Jenabell would you?

 

[blutoski]

I know that a lot of skeptics like to believe that critical thinking exercises can help us all to determine fact from falsehood. What kind of evidence is available from studies that prove that people who practice these different critical thinking exercises are less likely to be duped by falsehoods? Do these people develop a habit of thinking critically all the time?

The connection between critical thinking index scores (there are standardized indexes for critical thinking) and practicing exercises is demonstrated, although it is observed that the boost provided by taking a course in critical thinking can diminish over time, and needs reinforcement to maintain or further increase score.

The connection between critical thinkng index scores and real-world risk such as being a victim of fraud is unknown, and would probaby be a very valuable study, especially for those of us who promote critical thinking as a 'solution' to a credulous public.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

 

[Dr Adequate]

For example, people who have studied logic are less likely to commit logical fallacies; people who study statistics are less likely to commit statistical fallacies. If you really need a case study showing that educating people educates them, try Kruger and Dunning, J. Personal and Social Psych. 1999, vol. 77, no. 6